Fun

MAS Attack Grand Finale

Posted on November 19, 2016November 30, 2016 by Diversions LA

Art. The final frontier, perhaps, for beauty, joy, and in this case, SoCal style.

Catherine Ruane with her incredibly detailed graphite work – natural subject, ethereal execution.

Snezana Saraswati Petrovic – that’s 3D printing as sculpture.

Gay Summer Shadow Rick with a lovely and quintessential LA beach scene.

Annie Clavell with her light filled work.

Francisco Alvarado captures the spirit of these times.

The delicious scent of lemon oil, below in a delightfully experimental piece by Elizabeth Stringer.

Aline Mare with a piece the pulls viewers into a dramatic universe that fuses painting and photography.

Monica Wyatt with a found-art sculpture that dances with energy.

Karrie Ross with the glitter of gold, a treasure of a painting.

Kristine Schomaker offers riveting rainbows and ribbons of paint – and powerful feminist metaphor.

Below, Bibi Davidson with her “red girl,” as distinctive as the artist herself.

Photographer Hector Felix in action, documenting the scene.

Below, Dwora Fried with one of her fluid, fascinating assemblages.

Below, Mike Mollett, sometimes known as one of Los Angeles’ performance art Mudpeople, with his better half, Dee.

Below, the rich color palette of Kristine Augustyne.

Above, a close look at Dwora Fried’s box, politically potent. Below, the vibrant neon art of Linda Sue Price.

Below, the finely detailed art of Jodi Bonassi, who often depicts the warmth of the art community in LA.

In January 2013, Max Presneill, Kio Griffith, Colton Stenke, put together the first MAS attack, a mutual appreciation society for artists. The idea was for artists to hang their own work, spend time at the event meeting other artists and art lovers, make art, show it, and support it.

The final such event was held last Saturday night at the Torrance Art Museum, where Presneill is curator. An amazing art jumble of sculpture, performance (signed ping pong balls shot from a tube, anyone), paintings, photography, mixed media – a pure wow, as exhilarating as it was encompassing.

Below, artists Shelly Heffler, Dwora Fried, and the author.

So many artists, so many highlights – and a spirit of fun and friendship that glowed throughout the museum. If you weren’t there, you should’ve been; if you don’t know these artists, get to know them now. And if you love LA art and artists, then support art, talk about it, attend openings, buy it, photograph it, openly adore it.

As an aside, if you love this blog, if you’ve ever been written about by this blog, if you’ve ever enjoyed the art, travel, food and more in this blog, then follow us! Not just on Facebook but follow us here. You’ll receive updates when new posts are made, and that is it. And it helps us thrive and survive when you add to our follow list.

Art is on fire in Los Angeles these days, and here’s to MAS attack for being one of the delightful tinders that set the blaze going. Take a look at some of the fine flames that joined in the grand finale last Saturday night.

Contributors included:

Aaron Giesel
Alanna Marcelletti
Albert Lopez Jr
Alec Dawson
Alessandor Rachael
Aline Mare
Alison Woods
Ally Bortolazzo
Amanda Mears
Amy Fox
Andrea Bersaglieri
Andrew Foster
Andy Moses
Anise Stevens
Ann Diener
Ann Phong
Ann Weber
Anna Leighton
Annie Clavel
Annie Seaton
Antoine Guilbaud
April Bey
Arezoo Bharthania
Ashley Bravin
Becca Shewmake
Ben Jackal
Ben Zask
Betsy Enzensberger
Bibi Davidson
Bill Brewer
Bob Branaman
Brian Thomas Jones
Bryan Ida
Cameron McIntyre
Campbell Laird
Carl Shubs
Carla Danes
Caroline Peters
Carolle-Shelley Abrams
Catherine Kimball Davis
Catherine Ruane
Cathleen Abalos
Cathy Lightfoot
Cathy Weiss
Chenhung Chen
Cherie Benner Davis
Chris Barnickel
Chris Danes
Chris McBurnley
Chris Mercier
Chris Pate
Chris Shelby
Christina Shurts
Christopher Chinn
Cia Foreman
Cindy Jackson
Claudia Morales McCain
Cole James
Colin Cook
Colton Stenke
Conchi Sanford
Corrie Gregory
Cory Sewelson
Crystal Fischetti
Curtis Stage
Cynthia Lujan
Cynthia Minet
Dakota Noot
Dan Callis
Dani Dodge
Daniel Leighton
Daniela Campins
David D’Andrade
David DiMichele
David French
David Glickman
David Leapman
David Michael Lee
David Spanbock
Dawn Arrowsmith
Dawn Quinones
Debby & Larry Kline
Debe Arlook
Denise Kraemer
Dia Bassett
Diane Nebolon Silver
Diane Pirie Cockerill
Diane Williams
Diego Gutierrez Monterrubio
Dosshaus
Doug Wichert
Douglas Alvarez
Dwora Fried
Ed Gomez
Ed Moses
Elena Johnson
Elizabeth Dorbad
Elizabeth Folk
Elizabeth Medina
Elizabeth Stringer
Elizabeth Valdez
Ellen Dieter
Ellen Riingen
Emily Maddigan
Eva Hyam
Faina Kumpan
Farzan Sabet
Feng Ling
Francisco Alvarado
Frederika Roeder
Gabriel Garcia
Gary Brewer
Gavin Bunner
Gay Summer Sadow Rick
George Garcia
George Joaquim
Georgette Buckley
Gloria Plascencia
Grant Redwine
Greg Rose
Greg Schenk
Gretchen Batcheller
Gretchen Rollins
Gul Cagin
Hagop Najarian
Helen Chung
Holly Jerger
Hung Viet Nguyen
Ian Pines
Isabel Rojas-Williams
Ismael de Anda III
Jackie Bell Johnson
James Galindo
James Goodwin
Jane Liu
Jane Szabo
Jason Ramos
Jeanne Dunn
Jennifer Gunlock
Jenny Hager
Jerrin Wagstaff
Jesse Standlea
Jessica Bley
Jessica Newman
Jill Sykes
Jodi Bonassi
Joe O’Neill
Joe Wolek
Joel Robert-Elton Woodard
John Geary
John Sollom
Jon Flack
Jon Measures
Jonathan Ryan
Jorge Mujica
Josephine Lipuma
Josh Hagler
Josh Velasquez
Juan Gomez
Julie Orr
Juri Koll
Justin Smith
Karrie Ross
Kate Sikorski
Kathi Flood
Katie Kirk
Kathleen Kane-Murrell
Kathleen Melian
Katya Usvitsky
Keariene Muizz
Kenny McBride
Kerry Kugelman
Khang Bao Nguyen
Kim Garcia
Kim Kei
Kimber Berry
Kimberly Hahn
Kimberly Rowe
Kio Griffith
Krisitine Schomaker
Krista Dawn
Krista Marlene
Kristin Frost
Kristine Augustyn
L Aviva Diamond
Lan Duong
Lara Jo Regan
Larry Gipe
Laura Catherine Soto
Laurel Paley
Lauren Michele Kasmer
Lavialle Campbell
Leah C Dixon
Leland Paxton
Lena Moross
Lena Wolek
Leslie Doyle
Lexi Aquilina
Lidia Shadow
Linda Sue Price
Linsey Gosper
Lisa Hoffner
Lisa Pederson
Loren Phillips
Lori Pond
Lorraine Heitzman
Luigia Gio Martelloni
Luke Van Hook
Lynn E Coleman
Maja Ruznic
Malka Nedivi
Manny Karkowski
Mara Colecchia
Marjan Hormozi
Mark Dutcher
Marlene Picard
Martin Durazo
Matthew Owen Driggs
Matthew Sweeny
Maurya Coleman
Max Presneill
Mayen Alcentara
Megan Frances Abrahams
Mei Xian Qui
Mela Marsh
Melissa Walter
Michael Bizon
Michael Chock
Michael Falzone
Michael Giancristiano
Michael McCall
Michael Neumann
Michele Castagnetti
Michele Wood Page
Mike McCarthy
Mike McLain
Mike Mollett
Mike Street
Mike Vegas
Monica Wyatt
Nadege Monchera Baer
Naira Hart
Nancy Buchanan
Nano Rubio
Narsiso Martinez
Natasha June Dee
Natasha Shoro
Nick Agid
Nick Ives
Nick Mansfield
Nikki Lewis
Noel Madrid
Nurit Avesar
Omar Gallegos
Pat Gainor
Patricia Mitchell
Patrick Rees
Peggy Sivert Zask
Perry Marks
Peta Orbach
Phil Amrhein
Phillip Griswold
Rachel Kastor
Rachel Stiff
Ray Beldner
Rema Ghuloum
Renee Tanner
Ric Heitzman
Richard Gilles
RJ Ward
Robert Miller
Robert Soffian
Rod Baer
Roland Reiss
Ron Linden
Ron Therrio
Ronald Price
Roni Feldman
Rouzanna Berberian
Samuelle Richardson
Sandy Abrams
Sant Khalsa
Sarah Tell
Sarajo Frieden
Scott Teson
Scott Trimble
Sean Michael Gallagher
Sean Noyce
Serena Potter
Sergio Teran
Seth Lower
Sharon Bell
Sharon Suhovy
Shell Silverio
Shelley Heffler
Shingo Francis
Shiri Mordechay
Sijia Chen
Siobhan McClure
Snezana Saraswati Petrovic
Sonja Schenk
Sophia Tise
Sovanchanreaksmeay Sorn
Stacie Jaye
Steph Sydney
Stephanie Meredith
Stephanie Sherwood
Stephen Rowe
Steve Seleska
Steven Fujimoto
Steven Seemayer
Steven Wolkoff
Susan Amorde
Susan Feldman Tucker
Susan Kurland
Susan Lizotte
Susan Poms Amorde
Suzanne Budd
Suzanne Fontaine
Tania Jazz Alverez
Tanya Batura
Tanya Haden
Terri Berman
Terry Lenihan
Theodore Svenningsen
Todd Carpenter
Tom Dunn
Tom Lasley
Tom Savage
Tony Pinto
Tracey Weiss
Trina Turturic
Trine Churchill
Ty Pownall
Tyler Waxman
Valerie Wilcox
Veda B Kaya
Virginia Katz
Wakana Kimura
Wini Brewer
Yoko Kanayama
Yokoyama Miki
Yoshimi Hayashi
Yvette Gellis
Zachry Horn
Zeina Baltagi

Above artist Catherine Ruane with artist Tracey Weiss, who is wearing her piece – a wrap made from recycled Perrier bottles. Scratchy yes, stunning, that too.

Above, Sonja Schenk’s evocative icy cliff; below Cia Foreman with her shiny green leaves.

Above, photographic artist Jane Szabo with a fascinating change of pace for her in terms of subject matter; below Megan Abrahams with a hopeful green sprout.

A complimentary couple: above Daniel Leighton, below Ana Leighton with their smart and beautiful works.

South Bay Contemporary gallerist, curator, and artist – Peggy Silvert Zask with her ceramic horse, below.

Above, Australian artist and curator Tom Dunn; below glass bricks with ashes – a part of a large installation by the always exciting, always cutting edge, poetic Dani Dodge.

Above the woven wires of brilliantly enigmatic artist Chenhung Chen; below Steven Wolkoff showing all the girls his perfect paint etching.

Above artists and BLAM and Durden and Ray alums, Dani Dodge, Steven Wolkoff, and Tom Dunn. Below Siobhan McClure makes the color pink a force to be reckoned with.

Above, crazy prolific and wonderfully impressionistic story telling art by Scott Trimble; below Alanna Marcellitti shines.

Goofing around, artists Loren Phillips and Hung Viet Nguyen claim each others work as their own.

Below, the jeweled, mosaic-like work of Hung Viet Nguyen with Phillips vast floaty blue behind him.

Below: artists just want to have fun.

Above, the gouged wood wall reliefs of Michael Giancristiano; below- wild colors in Luigia Gia Martelloni’s piece.

Above, Susan Amorde with her arrow-attacked suitcase sculpture, lethally wonderful. Below a serious moment of farewell from MAS attack founders.

Above a close up of Hung Viet Nguyen’s work; below the jubilant work of artist Susan Lizotte.

Above, the performance art of Debby and Larry Kline ping pongs through the crowd.

Above, artist Jenny Hager sets the canvas ablaze – just as MAS attack sparked the flame of artists creating community.

It was a farewell, it was an amazing group show and it was fun – the final MAS Attack exhibition at Torrance Art Museum was a terrific swan song.

– Genie Davis; photos: Genie Davis

The Indefatigable Dulce Stein

Posted on October 6, 2016October 6, 2016 by Diversions LA

It’s rare that the DiversionsLA tag line of “art, food, fun…” etc. gets used in one story, but that would be the case here, at a vibrant dinner hosted by Dulce Stein, curated at The Gallery Presents in Hawthorne. The Gallery Presents will be a memory by the end of this month, urban renewal taking its toll for now on the South Bay art scene.

However, Stein, above second from the left, and flanked by chef Leo Munoz on her left, with the lovely kitchen helper and server (as well as artist and musician) Elisa Garcia on the far right, will keep on bringing art, cultural experiences, and plenty of fun to artists and art lovers throughout the Southland at other venues from Silver Lake to Manhattan Beach.

DiversionsLA was included in a beautiful dinner of traditional Mexican cuisine as part of the closing for Stein’s The Frida Show.

Above, Stein with Munoz, who created Sabor Mexicano soul-full food that included a rich Sopa Tarasca, a fragrant bean-based soup from Mexico’s Michoacan; Mole de ciruela con Guajolote y arroz al cilantro – or turkey in plum mole, which for vegetarians was replaced with a delightful zucchini-based stew, Calabacitas Poblanas. Main dishes were followed by bread pudding with fruit, known as Capirotada. Served alongside were homemade horchata, Agua de Jamaica aka hibiscus tea, and sangria.

Below, a tribute to the artists who contributed to both The Frida Show and The Boobs Exhibit, both hung at the gallery and providing a terrific backdrop to a dinner fit for a Frida.

Above, artist Vicki Barkley.

An installation piece recreating Frida’s bedroom, above, created by Janet Gonzalez.

Above, photographer Fred Prinz gets the front-of-the-camera treatment.

DiversionsLA author with artist Charisse Abellana-Williams

Above, artist Gabriela Malinalxochitl Zapata.

Below, music by The Furious Seasons, whose dynamic playing set the mood for a lively evening.

So here is a toast to Stein and her creative team – a delightful evening of art, music, and food – and most of all to a spirit that keeps on keepin’ on. You’ve seen the word that best describes this prolific curator in its most proper context: indefatigable.

Genie Davis; Photos: Jack Burke

Disruptively Tasty Blueberry Toast at the Echo Theater

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Diversions LA

We had a sense of what to expect from Mary Laws’ Blueberry Toast, at the Echo Theater through October 29th. Laws, after all, is a writer for the incredibly dark, subversive, yet exceedingly well-written Preacher on AMC. Comic-book based characters and taste for the very morbid are a highlight of her work on that show – and morbid events and humor are also a keynote of Blueberry Toast.

The four character play also has a bit of a comic-book sensibility, with its candy-colored suburban set, it’s broadly drawn characters who are certainly not the cheerful mom, dad, and two kids contingent they appear when first on-stage.

Directed by Dustin Wills, the play is as scabrous as it is hilarious, the tale of disgruntled Walt (Albert Dayan), a middle school poetry teacher; his long-suffering and deeply angry wife, Barb (Jacqueline Wright), and their two children, Jack (Michael Sturgis) and Jill (Alexandra Freeman), who are hell-bent on performing a bizarre play within the play for their parental audience.

The action gets started when Barb offers to make the likely having-an-affair and anxious to get on with it Walt breakfast. He says blueberry toast, she makes it, he says he meant blueberry pancakes, and a power struggle ensues with drastic and bloody results.

Splaying their vitriol everywhere they can, the adults make love, war, and twisted commentary their compulsions; the kids are clearly twisted in their own way from their exposure to mama and papa’s war.

Fresh and crazy, shocking and idiosyncratic, Blueberry Toast entertains in a vibrantly depraved fashion, encouraging the audience to immerse themselves in a world all the more bleak for its sunshiny set and seemingly comfortable middle class home.

Both brutal and highly amusing, this is one piece of toast audiences will enjoy crunching, while delighting in the fact that whatever dysfunction they may have in their own home lives, it ain’t nothing like this.

Genie Davis; photos provided by the Echo Theater.

After It Happened – Invertigo Dance Theatre Thrills

Posted on September 30, 2016September 30, 2016 by Diversions LA

Los Angeles contemporary dance company Invertigo Dance Theatre is awe-inspiring. With sinuous movements that seem to defy gravity and the human body, an enthralling flow of dance and a testament to the human spirit ignites audiences in After It Happened.

Choreographed and directed by artistic director Laura Karlin, the beautiful, poignant story of the aftermath of a natural disaster is a vibrant and involving 90 minute performance that’s truly a must-see. Playing at the newly re-opened Ford Theaters on Cahuenga September 30th only, After It Happened will also be performed in Santa Barbara October 22 and 23 and is well worth the drive. We saw the dress rehearsal tonight, and were as blown away as if a hurricane or tidal wave had carried us.

Originally sold out when performed in 2014 (see photo directly above), the production chronicles what occurs in a community as it rebuilds following an unspecified natural disaster. The community is near the sea – awash in blue light, with fishing, boating, and triumphant performer/waves appearing at certain points in the production.

Even during light-heartened moments there is a tinge of deep seated sorrow underpinning the often-ecstatic choreography, as this isolated community turns to its own members for the strength to rise again.

Artistic director Karlin wrote the story as well as creating the dances through which its told – in what she describes as “an intensely collaborative” effort.

The piece opens with the occurrence of the disaster, moves through clean-up, disaster-porn tourism, robbery out of hunger, the rise – and fall – of dictatorship, rebuilding, illness, and the memories nearly lost in the terrible destruction of a place that was once home. Ending with a spirit of renewal and rebirth for the devastated community, the performance is nothing if not redemptive; both story and choreography are transformative.

This is the second piece I’ve seen from Invertigo, the first being last year’s relationship story, Reeling. Like Reeling, the production is an incredibly intense, truly jaw-dropping spectacle of human movement, one that wrings emotion from viewers and serves up inspiration to compensate. To create the living sculptural art that are these dancers bodies is no small feat, to infuse this performance art of the highest order with such heartfelt, political and emotional substance is rare indeed.

But above all, Invertigo offers pure pleasure: through modern, eclectic dance, contemporary live music and song, imaginative costumes and set design. As a side note, John Burton, the company’s set designer worked with the community at large and CAFAM in the creation of collaborative set pieces such as a tree that grows and blossoms in the back of the stage.

And beyond the wonder that Invertigo shapes, there is the fact that the company supports such terrific causes. Invertigo offers engagement programs such as Invert/ED youth education and Dancing Through Parkinson’s. “We believe in empowering people through the creative process ,and the idea that dance is for everybody and every body,” Karlin has said.

As to After It Happened, the performance is an experience – of heart and soul, mind and body. The compact, rehabilitated Ford amphitheater setting adds to the vibrance of the production, but frankly it could be performed in a parking lot and lose none of its wonder.

Fan of performance art? Dance? Fine music? Subtle but seductive stage design? Then hurry to the Ford Theaters or plan a late October drive north to Santa Barbara – you won’t want to miss the visceral impact and adrenaline-rich excitement of After It Happened – get there before, not after, the show.

Genie Davis; Photos: Invertigo and Genie Davis